The foil packet (aka hobo packet) is super simple and an entire meal in one. I grew up camping. We would make these on the open fire. If you don't do camping you can also cook these on the grill or in the oven. Here is the most basic. The "vegan" foil packet.
The essentials:
Although the spices are key for added flavor, you must have a few other essential components when making your Foil Pack Dinner.
Step 1: Find Your Fat
You don’t want your b-b-q masterpiece sticking to the foil so you must be sure to include some type of fat. Olive oil is a great way to add a healthier oil, but you can also use coconut oil or a dairy-free.
Step 2: Pick Your Protein
Although you get protein from the veggies you pick, you can up the amount of protein by choosing an additional source. In our Hobo Foil Pack Dinner, I chose to use a veggie kielbasa, but you could also use tofu, tempeh, beans, or even vegan breakfast sausage.
Step 3: Add a ton of veggies
Bring on the veggies…just about any veggie will do but consider it’s cooking time. You want firmer veggies like potatoes cut into smaller pieces or thinly sliced like I did, so they cook at the same rate as mushrooms, peppers and onions.
Step 4: spice it up
We already talked a little about the spices I used, but with a veggie base, you MUST add salt and pepper. Adding the rosemary really added another layer of flavor but if you don’t like rosemary or are afraid to spread your wings a little, then there are plenty more to pick from. Let your imagination run wild!
Step 5: Fold & grill
Tear off 12-14 inch pieces of foil. You’ll want a little extra room to pile in your veggies and still have room in the pouch so heat will circulate inside like a mini oven.
Place the food in the center of the foil, drizzle with oil then layer your chosen ingredients such as potatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, jalapeño, mushrooms and kielbasa. Fold the two long edges toward one another and fold over once or twice & crimp for a sealed edge. Fold and crimp each short end of the foil toward the middle so that the edges are all tightly sealed and the juices don’t flow out.
Alternative Cooking Options:
Grilling is my favorite cooking method for Foil Pack Dinners but IF you don’t have a grill, IF it’s too cold outside or IF you don’t want to grill, here are a few other cooking options.
- On the stove-up on a large rimmed pan, without foil. Drizzle your pan with oil then sauté 15-30 minutes on medium-med/high, until desired results.
- In the oven (in foil packs) place foil packs directly on rack and bake for 30 minutes at 350°.
- In the oven (no foil pack) – bake on a baking sheet for 30 minutes at 350°.
*Baking time can vary depending on how much you fit into each packet.
Top it Off:
Sauce it up & top it off, with some of our favorites!
- Sour cream (we love Tofutti brand)
- B-B-Q sauce
- Hot sauce
- Dairy-free ranch (Daiya has a great vegan ranch or make your own from scratch). One day I’ll put that recipe on here.
- Sliced avocado or this Avocado Cream Sauce from Bless Her Heart Ya’ll.
- You can also use ketchup, steak sauce, sriracha, soy sauce or even a homemade allergy-friendly pesto.
QUICK INSTRUCTIONS:
- Pick your oil.
- Pick your protein.
- Cut and prepare your veggies. Lots of them.
- Pick your spices.
- Fold it up and Grill it, throw it over a fire or put in the oven.
Interested in other variations?
Comments
0 comment